Buddhism and Peace

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without”. – Buddha

In our lives, many things cannot be bought with money. Peace is something that we must create for ourselves. Every human being seeks a peaceful life; at the end of the day, we all want to sleep, and sleep requires peace. Just because you have earned a lot of money or have a prestigious image in society does not grant peace. It cannot be bought, only created. Not everyone wants money or fame, but everyone looks for peace. In the current Israel and Palestine war, we are all looking for world peace to be restored. In this blog, I am going to explain the concepts of Buddhism and peace and how we can cultivate them in our daily lives.

Buddha’s Path to Peace of Mind

Buddhism is considered the philosophy of peace and non-violence all over the world. Following a Buddhist path leads to enlightenment and peace. According to Buddha, peace only approaches a person when they are happy. The way to lead a peaceful life is by getting rid of all negative emotions and evil thoughts, and replacing these negative thoughts with compassion, positive thoughts, and serenity. 

The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism address the nature of suffering and lead to the concept of ultimate peace. First, it understands the existence of suffering, recognizes the reasons for suffering, realizes the truth that we can end the suffering, and finally follows the Eightfold path, which ultimately equips you to liberate yourself from suffering and gives you tranquillity.

According to Buddha, tranquillity can be achieved when all the conflicts that disturb the peace of mind come to an end, and this only happens when our human desires are reduced. When you achieve tranquillity, you can experience peaceful happiness.

Gautam Buddha Peace Quotes

Buddha’s quote on peace is something we must follow and practice in our lives. These quotes give insights on how to achieve peace. We all wish for a peaceful life but never try to find out how to achieve it. Let’s look at the major Buddha quotes on peace in English.

• “Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.”
• “Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.”
• “Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.”
• “If you truly loved yourself, you could never hurt another.”

To learn more about the Buddhist perspective on peace, read our blog Buddha Quotes on Peace.

The Concept of Inner Peace in Buddhism

In Buddhist philosophy, inner peace is not presented as a result; instead, it is a journey. It is not something that we achieve in the end; it is a practice of self-love, self-improvement, and self-discovery. 

How we can achieve a state of peace of mind is something everyone thinks about. The answer is simple: it is through detaching oneself from craving. How do we lose our peace in life? It usually happens when we crave something that can’t be easily achieved, which makes us sad and results in an unpleasant state. 

When we eliminate our mind from feelings of passion, needs, and wishes in life, we can achieve equanimity or peace of mind. To achieve the ultimate reality, Nirvana, one must pursue the quality of tranquillity.

Another way to reach the tranquillity phase is through meditation and mindfulness practice.

Major meditation and mindfulness practices to achieve peace of mind

• Following deep breathing techniques
• Practising quiet contemplation
• Paying attention to thoughts and sensations without preconceived notions
• Avoiding distractions
• Calming yourself when unpleasant thoughts arise 
• Developing a deeper understanding of oneself.

Follow these practices in everyday life to achieve mental harmony. 

Buddhism and World Peace

Buddhist teachings on peace provide insights and practices to lead a calm and serene life. The Buddha’s concept of peace of mind not only applies to individual peace but also to the establishment of peace on a global level. Human beings are all interconnected, so it is a shared responsibility to create peace in the world. A non-violent approach to situations helps us cultivate a peaceful atmosphere. 

The New Year message of the Dalai Lama also emphasizes the shared responsibility of humans to create a better world. Advocating for peaceful resolution is something that we need in our chaotic world to reach a calm and contented life. 

Cultivating the concept of compassion helps us create empathy, and as a result, it will transform our attitude in addressing conflicts. The most important benefit of achieving world peace is that it helps with the integral growth of each individual and helps to attain stability.

In conclusion, the Buddhist perspective on peace is something that must be given paramount importance in both our individual lives and on a global level. By eliminating evil thoughts, embracing the four noble truths and the eightfold path, understanding Buddha’s quotes on peace, and following meditation and mindfulness practices, one can attain a calm and peaceful mental state. As a shared responsibility to achieve social harmony, we must approach conflicts with a non-violent mentality. To achieve a peaceful and contented life, read blogs from Hiddenmantra. It is your path to enlightenment and inner peace.